Govt fails to protect Euro 2004 qualifier

Next week’s Euro 2004 qualifier between Ireland and Switzerland will not be broadcast on free-to-air television because the Government has failed to finalise its list of protected cultural events.

Under EU law, individual member states can draw up a list of events that must be broadcast free of charge, but Communications Minister Dermot Ahern told the Dail today that the Irish Government has delayed making a decision on the issue pending further negotiations.